How Swans turned rough diamond Heath Grundy into a key defender

Sports Writer

Once a diamond in the rough: Heath Grundy has overcome many obstacles in his career at the Sydney Swans. Photo: Ben Rushton

The story of Heath Grundy's path to 150 games is a reminder there is much more to Sydney's success than their extra salary cap space.

From unwanted youngster to a key member of the most miserly defence in the competition, Grundy is another diamond the Swans have mined from the rough.

Although other teams had shown interest, no club was prepared to throw the Norwood product from the SANFL an opportunity until Sydney used pick 42 in the 2005 rookie draft, in late 2004, on the South Australian.

Grundy was the 122nd player named across the three drafts in 2004. He had also been overlooked the previous year.

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Grundy, who turned 28 on Monday, was one of six Swans from the side which smashed Geelong last week to graduate from the rookie list.

He started his career as a forward, kicking three goals on debut, but it was not until being moved to the other end of the ground in 2009 where his career prospered.

"It was under Roosy. I think it was halfway through the game, we were short on defenders," Grundy said.

"I just played footy. It felt like a bit of a weight [was lifted] off my shoulders and I could relax and play my own game and go about my business."

If not for his change of position, there is a very real chance Grundy's career could have been over as he would have been fighting with Kurt Tippett, Lance Franklin and Adam Goodes for a berth in the Swans' forward line.

"It took a little while, I tried down forward a few times but we had some pretty good players in the forward line but it's pretty hard to fit into that role," Grundy said.

"The club gave me a chance down back and I probably slid into that role a bit easier and suited me better at the time. I learned from some of the older blokes, I've really enjoyed my footy there."

Grundy has in recent seasons formed a powerful defensive combination with Ted Richards, another Swan who began life as a forward before finding his feet in defence.

"Myself and Teddy have beem lucky with injuries over the last few years so we've been able to play a number of games consecutively together. We've had a fair bit of time to learn how each other play," Grundy said.

"We play a bit different in the way we defend to each other but I think that works as a combination. It's been something that's worked for us over the years."

"He can judge the footy really well in the air and help out when he can."

Grundy will play his milestone game against a Gold Coast side which has transformed from cellar dweller to a legitimate finals contender this season.

The Suns have lost only one game this season at Metricon Stadium, which is fast becoming a difficult venue for visiting teams.

"We're halfway through the season and they've played some really good footy. You can't hide the fact, they're a really good side and you don't get there by luck," Grundy said of the fifth-placed Suns, who, like the Swans, have a 7-3 win-loss record this year.

"They've played good strong footy and we're going to have to take them seriously otherwise they'll get on top of us."

Players from Sydney's two AFL clubs are in line for a $20,000 rent subsidy replacing the controversial cost of living allowance which will be phased out by 2017.

Although the exact size of the allowance is yet to be finalised, it is understood $20,000 was a sum bandied around at a meeting of the AFL's presidents and chief executives in Melbourne on Wednesday.

Once tax is deducted, the subsidy falls below $1000 a month and there are concerns the allowance may not be enough to account for the extra costs of living in Sydney.

The subsidy will be given to players from Sydney and Greater Western Sydney on below average player payments as part of competitive balance measures announced by the league on Wednesday.

The Swans recently have come under renewed scrutiny for their list-building methods.